BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese
This Smoky BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese is a quick, satisfying weeknight dinner packed with creamy cheese, tender shredded chicken, and bold barbecue flavor ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken breast cooked and shredded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Boil elbow macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add shredded chicken and cook for 2–3 minutes.
- Lower the heat and stir in BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming. Gradually stir in cheddar and mozzarella until smooth.
- Mix pasta into the cheese sauce, then fold in the BBQ chicken. Stir well.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve warm.